Rabies is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through close contact with the saliva of an infected animal, most often by a bite or scratch, or by licks on broken skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose or mouth. Worldwide, dog bites are responsible for most human cases of rabies. Cause
A virus of the Rhabdoviridae family
Risk to Travellers
Risk varies depending on location, purpose and duration of trip, as well as lifestyle, activities, and access to medical care.
Travellers who engage in activities which place them in close contact with animals, such as cave exploration, camping, hiking, or cycling in areas where rabies is found, may be considered high risk.
Travellers who work in close contact with animals, such as veterinarians, animal control or wildlife workers, or laboratory workers are at high risk.
Children are also considered at high risk because they often play with animals and are less likely to report bites or scratches. Bites in children are usually higher on the trunk or face and are often more severe.
Severity
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
Prevention
Take personal precautions to avoid animal bites and avoid contact with bats.
Get vaccinated.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rabies.
Thoroughly cleansing the wound or bite site immediately after exposure can help prevent the onset of rabies.
Shots given after exposure to the virus (called post-exposure prophylaxis) can be effective at preventing disease, as long as they are received promptly after exposure, and the appropriate product is administered using the appropriate technique.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after being bitten or scratched by an animal, or having close contact with a bat. Post-exposure prophylaxis is available worldwide however it is often difficult to obtain.
Symptoms
Can take 20 to 60 days to appear, although this may vary considerably from several days to several years.
Early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, malaise, fever, and fatigue. There may be discomfort or pain at the exposure site (i.e. bite).
Symptoms progress quickly as the central nervous system is attacked, and the illness generally presents in one of two ways."Furious rabies" is more common, and is characterised by anxiety and psychological disturbances (confusion, agitation, delirium, rage, hallucinations, and hydrophobia).
"Dumb rabies" occurs in approximately 20% of patients and presents with paralysis.
In both "furious" and "dumb" rabies, death usually occurs within seven days due to breathing failure caused by paralysis of the respiratory system.
Rabies is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through close contact with the saliva of an infected animal, most often by a bite or scratch, or by licks on broken skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose or mouth. Worldwide, dog bites are responsible for most human cases of rabies.
Cause
A virus of the Rhabdoviridae family
Risk to Travellers
Risk varies depending on location, purpose and duration of trip, as well as lifestyle, activities, and access to medical care.Travellers who engage in activities which place them in close contact with animals, such as cave exploration, camping, hiking, or cycling in areas where rabies is found, may be considered high risk.
Travellers who work in close contact with animals, such as veterinarians, animal control or wildlife workers, or laboratory workers are at high risk.
Children are also considered at high risk because they often play with animals and are less likely to report bites or scratches. Bites in children are usually higher on the trunk or face and are often more severe.
Severity
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.Prevention
Take personal precautions to avoid animal bites and avoid contact with bats.Get vaccinated.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rabies.Thoroughly cleansing the wound or bite site immediately after exposure can help prevent the onset of rabies.
Shots given after exposure to the virus (called post-exposure prophylaxis) can be effective at preventing disease, as long as they are received promptly after exposure, and the appropriate product is administered using the appropriate technique.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after being bitten or scratched by an animal, or having close contact with a bat. Post-exposure prophylaxis is available worldwide however it is often difficult to obtain.
Symptoms
Can take 20 to 60 days to appear, although this may vary considerably from several days to several years.Early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, malaise, fever, and fatigue. There may be discomfort or pain at the exposure site (i.e. bite).
Symptoms progress quickly as the central nervous system is attacked, and the illness generally presents in one of two ways."Furious rabies" is more common, and is characterised by anxiety and psychological disturbances (confusion, agitation, delirium, rage, hallucinations, and hydrophobia).
"Dumb rabies" occurs in approximately 20% of patients and presents with paralysis.
In both "furious" and "dumb" rabies, death usually occurs within seven days due to breathing failure caused by paralysis of the respiratory system.